The Shetland Sheepdog: The Good Shepherd


The Shetland Sheepdog, or “Sheltie” as it is commonly known, is basically a miniature Collie. These rough-coated, longhaired, working dogs are alert, loyal and highly trainable.
Agile and sturdy, the Sheltie is a devoted, docile, highly intelligent dog.
They excel in obedience trials, as well as in agility, herding and conformation events. Shelties can be black, blue merle or sable, marked with different amounts of white and/or tan.
The Sheltie can trace its history to the Border Collie, an ancestry it shares with the Collie. After being taken to the Shetland Islands, they were crossed with the small, intelligent, longhaired local dogs, to produce the breed we know today.
If you are thinking about getting a Shetland Sheepdog, you’ll get a devoted family pet who loves his family, but may be reserved around strangers. As a herding dog, Shelties are inclined to bark a lot, and make have a go at herding your other pets and family.
Shelties are ideally suited to country or suburban life but are adaptable to most living arrangements provided they are exercised daily. The breed’s dense double coat requires regular brushing and maintenance.
SHETLAND SHEEPDOG FACT FILE |
| Group: Herding Country of origin: Scotland Date of origin: 1800′s Originally bred for: Herding sheep Current function: Herding / Companion Size: Medium Coat length: Medium Shedding: Yes Grooming requirements: Daily Town or Country: Either Ideal home: Small or large house Minimum garden size: Small or medium Exercise requirements: Up to 1 hour per day Lifespan: Over 10 years |
If you enjoyed this page on the Shetland Sheepdog, check out some of the other dog breed links below.